Marvel Newell, 85, of Jefferson, died Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson.
A service of remembrance was held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 1 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson, Iowa with Rev. David Simonson of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa officiating. Casket bearers were Danny Moranville, Mark Fountain, Nate Raaz, Chad Turner, Darin Newell and Kyle Bergemann. Honorary casket bearers were Denise Moranville, Heather Johnson, Jennifer Staley, Collin Raaz, Dillon Raaz, Mistie Schau, Rachel Aden, Brittany Day, Samantha Bergemann and Chas Bergemann. Gary Haupert was the soloist, accompanied by Danille Curtis, and the musical selections were“Amazing Grace,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Wind Beneath My Wings.” The recorded music played was “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton. Interment was at the Jefferson Cemetery in Jefferson, Iowa. There was then a time of fellowship and lunch at the Jefferson Elks Lodge following the committal service at the cemetery.
Marvel’s joy in life was family. She was born in Scranton, Iowa on August 18, 1932 to Josephine Fonken Bartley and Frank Bartley. The second oldest in a family of nine, Marvel learned to cherish her brothers and sisters early on, and stayed close to them all her life. She passed this appreciation on to her own six children. She enjoyed decorating her home, enlisting one young daughter as her wallpaper assistant. Her home was always immaculate and she took great pride in her children appearing that way too. It’s not a myth that some mothers tell you to wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident, Marvel actually checked on this when the need arose.
Marvel loved to crochet, and made cherished scarves and blankets for family members and friends. Later in life, she became an equal opportunity basketball fan, and cheered on whatever team was winning. She was a fan of bowling, and called thrift stores “her mall.” To her many friends, she was loyal, sweet and sincere.
But no matter where life took Marvel, her favorite place was home, in the company of her family. She cherished her grandchildren, and was deeply proud of the adults they’ve become.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Sam; son, David; and her dear friend, Joan Stofer.
Marvel is survived by her children: Peggy (Dick) Moranville of Jefferson, Linda (Dave) Fountain of Grand Junction, Julie (Jerry) Raaz of Fort Collins, Colo., Deb (John Benson) Turner of Dawson and Diane (Curt) Bergemann of Jefferson; daughter-in-law, Colleen Newell of Jefferson; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; brother, Paul Bartley of Boone; sister, Franky (Jim) Anderson of Jefferson; brother-in-law, Dick Leedom; sister-in-law, Arlis Bartley of Jefferson; special friends, Donna Blair and Betty Kuebler both of Jefferson; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Lung Association.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, 515-386-2171.